"He is an out-and-out two miler (3200m) and I had set him for the race today," Paul Harris, the Rangiora trainer of The Take, said.
"He will go to the beach for the next few days leading up to the New Zealand Cup."
The $225,000 New Zealand Cup (3200m) is at Riccarton on Saturday week.
The Take came from last early yesterday in the hands of Kylie Williams, who also won the open sprint on Thistle.
Harris won the 2002 NZ Cup with Mike. He had a third in the race with Live The Reality in 2005.
The Take is raced by Harris with the Ladies Love Little Jono syndicate, whose members are throughout Australia and New Zealand. The syndicate is managed by Jonathan Alve, of Wellington.
The Take is by Minardi and the third foal of Balmacara, a Bassenthwaite mare who won eight races including the group two 1993 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m).
Thistle put his best foot forward to win the open 1400m yesterday.
"He [Thistle] is a good horse on his day but he doesn't let me know which day," quipped Steven Prince, the trainer of Thistle.
Thistle came from the tail of the field to win by a length.
The 8yr-old is raced by Geraldine breeder Bill Burdon who won a race at Wingatui on Melbourne Cup day last year with Cushion, trained by Prince.
Cushion has since been retired after an injury to a tendon.
Relampago staged a bold run for second over 1400m, a distance short of his best. Hold It Harvey was a nose back third, a neck ahead of Flight Point, who ran on from the rear.
Xena Warrior, a 2200m maiden winner, is out of The Blonde Bimbo, winner of the 1996 James Hazlett Stakes on the track. The Blonde Bimbo was raced by Chris Rowe and Michael Stokes, who share the ownership of Xena Warrior with Andrew Stuart, the Rangiora harness racing trainer. Xena Warrior was sent to Invercargill trainers Ben and Sally Gordon for early-season races on rain-affected tracks.
Jimi The Toff, who came from far back to win a 1200m maiden, is raced by his Ohai breeder Jim Malcolm and trained by Russell McKay. The same connections won four races with Auban Lane, the dam of Jimi The Toff. The 6yr-old, having his eighth start, is by Green Perfume, the sire of Grasse, a winner yesterday.
Brian Anderton, who has trained several winners including Young Noble for the O'Malley family, extended the record with Auntie Ballina in a 1600m maiden. Auntie Ballina is raced by Peter and Jeanette O'Malley, of Ikamatua.
The Koh Samui owner Jock Austin won a maiden race with Mr Conqueror, trained by Shane Marr. Mr Conqueror is out of Shimo Star, who won four races and placed in stakes races when raced by Austin and trained by Kent Fleming.
